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A Delicious Late Night Excursion in Seoul

Submitted by admin on Wed, 05/31/2017 - 12:45

Eating delicious food is always enjoyable, but staying out and eating late at night in Korea is a special experience that is sure to create memories that will last. In particular, the vibrant night culture of Seoul serves as the perfect backdrop for hungry travelers to fill their empty stomachs after a full day of exploring. Night buses in operation throughout major areas provide travelers with the best means of enjoying a late night tour without having to worry about excessive cab fares for the return trip. Read on to learn more about these late night tours to discover more fun and great eats by riding on a night bus!

What is a "Late Night Bus?"
Late night buses in Seoul refer to buses operating from midnight to early dawn. These buses are a great way of moving around town on public transportation during the hours when most buses are not in service. Currently, nine late night bus routes are in operation with various timetables. Each bus route starts with the letter “N” to signify it is a ‘night’ bus. These late night buses cover the high traffic areas around popular tourist areas such as near Gangnam Station. The fare is a bit higher than day buses, priced at 2,250 won when paying with cash.

Hapjeong Station – Hapjeong-dong Café Street

Hapjeong-dong Café Street

Hapjeong-dong is a hip and artistic zone, dotted with dozens of vintage coffee shops and dessert cafés. More than just cafés, Hapjeong-dong Café Steet also has pubs, wine bars, and restaurants serving a blend of East and West cuisine. Each establishment is aimed at various themes of youth culture. These businesses are not only popular spots to wine and dine with great eats, but also cultural spaces where visitors can witness the true aspects of modern Korea. The mix of cultures has created a unique atmosphere.

☞ Address: Area of Eoulmadang-ro 5-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Sinchon Station – Dakgalbi

Dakgalbi

Sinchon is becoming well known for delicious dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) through word of mouth among epicureans. Dakgalbi is a dish made of chicken and a variety of vegetables including cabbage and onion that is covered in a spicy seasoning and stir-fried at the table in front of you. In bustling Sinchon, restaurants specializing in this dish are thriving, including restaurants selling cheese or seafood combos and even some all-you-can-eat! With the many dakgalbi and fried chicken restaurants in the area, Sinchon is a must-visit place for lovers of chicken.

☞ Address: Area of Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Jonggak Station - Cheonggyecheon Café Street

Cheonggyecheon Café Street

Cheonggyecheon Stream is full of visitors all year round. The stream is dotted with people dipping their feet in the cool waters to escape the unbearable heat of summer nights, and in fall, beautiful lanterns reflect off the stream during the Seoul Lantern Festival. The length of Cheonggyecheon Stream is lined with cafés, making it easy to stop for a cup of coffee while enjoying the relaxing view of the stream.

☞ Address: Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Dongdaemun Station – Saengseon Gui Alley

Saengseon gui

In the vicinity of Dongdaemun Shopping Complex is a narrow alley, densely packed with small restaurants selling saengseon gui (grilled fish). Your meal will pass quickly as bite after bite of freshly grilled fish and warm rice sates your appetite. The fish are grilled in advance, and lightly grilled again after an order is placed so you can still enjoy a warm meal in record time.

☞ Address: Area of 5, Jong-ro 40ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Dongdaemun Station – Street food from food stalls

Street food from food stalls

It’s easy to find pojangmacha (food stall) on the streets of Dongdaemun at all hours, as the wholesale fashion market is open until the early hours of the morning. Among the variety of late-night snacks available, most foreigners prefer dak kkochi (chicken skewers), tteokbokki (spicy rice cake), and gopchang-bokkeum (stir-fried tripe). Dak kkochi are made by skewering pieces of chicken and spring onion onto a stick, which are then grilled and coated in either a sweet soy sauce or a spicy seasoning for a taste loved by all. Another popular food is mayak gimbap (literally translated to “narcotic gimbap” because it is that delicious) dipped in spicy tteokbokki sauce and eaten in one bite.

Yeonsinnae Station – Kalguksu Pojangmacha Alley

Kalguksu pojangmacha

Those in the know will tell you that Yeonsinnae is synonymous with kalguksu (noodle soup) due to the high concentration of food stalls selling kalguksu in the area. Kalguksu is a bowl-full of handmade noodles that substitutes for a single meal. The thick noodles in eomuk (fish cake) broth and spicy seasoning make the perfect late-night meal to appease your appetite, especially during cold winter days.

Jonggak Station – The street that never sleeps

Jonggak Avenue of Youth

Lit up as bright as day all through the night, the Avenue of Youth at Jonggak Station is the top spot for enjoying Korea’s night life. Visitors can get their first taste of the Korean drinking culture at the pubs here. There are also many restaurants serving various foods from samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), galbi (short ribs) and other barbecued meats to chicken, kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew), jeon (pancake), hoe (sliced raw fish) and more. All you have to do is decide what delicious Korean food you want to eat!

☞ Address: Area of Jong-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Garak Market Station - Garak Market Hoe Center

Saengseon hoe

Garak Market is the nation’s largest agriculture and marine products market. Fresh vegetables, fruits, seafood and other products are brought directly to the market from the countryside and sold in auctions from evening until dawn. If you’re looking for a unique experience, watch the products going so fast that it will leave even bystanders breathless trying to keep pace. For dinner, visit the marine products section, where you can pick the seafood you want to eat at prices cheaper than anywhere else in the city.

Hongik University Station – Exotic bingu

Various bingsu flavors

Bingsu (shaved ice), originally a summer dish, is now loved and enjoyed by people year round. Dessert cafés in the area around Hongdae (Hongik University Street) are especially popular among young people for offering unique bingsu flavors that fill the senses. From cheesecake bingsu topped with real cheesecake to bingsu shaped like a snowman or sweet bingsu made from frozen fruits, the offer of charming and delicious bingu is non-stop!

☞ Address: Area of Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Sindang Station – Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town

Table-top tteokbokki

Sindang-dong has been well-known for tteokbokki since the late ‘70s. Many of the food vendors here remain open 24 hours so you can find people enjoy the sweet and spicy snack at all hours of the day. The shops all make their own sauce, making the taste unique to each vendor. They also sell sets with toppings to choose at will such as eggs, ramyeon noodles, mandu (dumplings), fish cakes and more. Choose your favorite toppings and chow down!

☞ Address: Area of Toegye-ro 76-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Konkuk University Station - Kondae Food Street

Kondae Food Street

All kinds of food are available at Kondae’s Food Street, from Korea’s beloved grilled samgyeopsal and galbi to western foods and trendy dessert cafés. The restaurants and cafes remain open late into the evening, drawing customers into their bright and warm interiors.